The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is Australia's national transport safety investigator. The ATSB's function is to improve safety and public confidence in the aviation, marine and rail modes of transport. The ATSB is Australia's prime agency for the independent investigation of civil aviation, rail and maritime accidents, incidents and safety deficiencies.

Wake turbulence event, Sydney Airport, NSW, 3 November 2008

On 3 November 2008, a SAAB Aircraft Company 340B-229 (SAAB),
registered VH-ORX, was conducting a regular public transport flight
from Orange, NSW to Sydney. The crew reported that, at about 0724
Eastern Daylight-saving Time, when tracking to join a 7 NM (13 km)
final for runway 34 Right (34R), a passenger sustained minor
injuries following a possible wake turbulence event that resulted
in a momentary loss of control of the aircraft.

Examination of the available radar, meteorological and aircraft
operational data identified that the momentary upset probably
resulted from wake turbulence, which was generated by an Airbus
Industrie A380-800 (A380) that was conducting a parallel approach
to runway 34 Left (34L). There was a 35 kt left crosswind affecting
both aircraft's approaches.

Airservices Australia (Airservices) reported to the SAAB
operator that, as a result of this incident, they had introduced a
number of interim minor changes to Sydney parallel runway
operational procedures during high crosswind conditions. Those
minor changes would have effect while Airservices carried out a
review of A380 operations. In addition, the Civil Aviation Safety
Authority has opened a regulatory change project to review and
update wake turbulence separation information in the Manual of
Standards Part 172.